Global, diverse crowd revels at Ultra

The crowd cheers for Miami-born Steve Aoki as he finishes his set on the Main Stage on day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28, 2015.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Concertgoers move between stages during day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Ximena Fagan shows Nadeem Khalil some love during day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Sky Feliciano dances to the music of Seth Troxler during day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28, 2015.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Alan Gonzalez, left, and Daniela Restrepo wait for the drop during Seth Troxler's set on day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Concertgoers flex their muscles outside of the Carl Cox & Friends stage during day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Keely Perez dances outside the Carl Cox & Friends stage during day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

NICK SWYTER

NICK SWYTER

Concertgoers enjoy their view of Steve Aoki's set from a tree before security guards tell them to get down on day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

The hundreds of sun-kissed people draped in different flags resembled a World Cup event.

Many proudly represented their homelands Saturday by wearing their flags or its colors at the Ultra Music Festival. The patriotic attire of people from Canada, Ghana, Argentina, and Israel was among a cornucopia of style choices exhibited and a testament to one of the most-cited positives of Ultra.

“I like the environment,” said Juron Tucker, 20, with the flag of Bermuda hanging from his shoulders. “It’s diverse, and there’s something for everybody.”

The party revved up again at noon, and artists like Blasterjaxx, Steve Aoki, Armin Van Buuren and Gorgon City, among many others, took the stage amid cooler temperatures at Bayfront Park. Amid the music were moments emblematic of the philosophy many Ultra fans espouse — “PLUR” or peace, love, unity and respect.

Strangers introduced themselves as they danced, smiling, fist pumping and high-fiving. Some concertgoers met and traded neon-beaded bracelets, called “kandi,” when they met. The bracelets often had heartfelt, funny or Ultra-themed messages. After a handshake expressing the tenets of PLUR — forming peace signs, a heart symbol, locking hands and finishing with a hug — they slid the bracelets over each others’ wrists.

As far as security, the weekend has thus far gone smoothly. The Miami Police Department reported 23 arrests on the first day — 16 misdemeanors and 7 felonies, including possession of marijuana, possession of MDMA, disorderly intoxication and prostitution-related offenses.

Organizers upped security at the festival this year, including using stronger fencing, increasing police and emergency response presence, sending teams of festival ambassadors through the crowd to help anyone who needs assistance and hosting health professionals to talk about the use of illegal drugs.

As the throbbing bass rumbled throughout the park, many leisurely bobbed to the music while others jumped in the masses to dance.

Emily Salinas, 21, hoisted a large inflatable monkey as she bounced in the legion of fans. Later on, while sitting in a quieter spot, the Washington, D.C. resident explained the primate’s purpose.

“I brought it so friends watching the live stream can find me,” she said.

She also hopes she might appear in the review Ultra produces after the festival.

“Hopefully, we can make the after-movie.”

Follow @joeflech on Twitter for continuing coverage this weekend of Ultra Music Festival. The three-day festival ends Sunday.

The crowd cheers for Miami-born Steve Aoki as he finishes his set on the Main Stage on day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28, 2015.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Sky Feliciano dances to the music of Seth Troxler during day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28, 2015.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

NICK SWYTER

Ximena Fagan shows Nadeem Khalil some love during day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Concertgoers flex their muscles outside of the Carl Cox & Friends stage during day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Keely Perez dances outside the Carl Cox & Friends stage during day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Concertgoers move between stages during day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

NICK SWYTER

Lisa Nghiem, of Minnesota, dances during Steve Aoki's set on the Main Stage on day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Alan Gonzalez, left, and Daniela Restrepo wait for the drop during Seth Troxler's set on day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Concertgoers enjoy their view of Steve Aoki's set from a tree before security guards tell them to get down on day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

A concertgoer drops a wristband in the shoulder pocket of a protester at the entrance of Ultra during day two of the festival on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

A chicken and an egg take on Ultra: Carlos Bello, left, and Andrew Jones take a selfie on day two of Ultra Music Festival on Saturday, March 28..
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Felicia Taylor, of Deerfield Beach, shows off the sign she made for Armin Van Buuren on day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

A concertgoer shows off his Deadmau5-inspired mask on day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

George Smigel, of West Palm Beach, left, and Cassie Harvey, of Seattle, enjoy a kiss in front of the Live Stage on day two of Ultra Music Festival on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Michael Rodriguez shows off his dance moves on day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

A concertgoer enjoys the view of Gorgon City from on top of a friend's shoulders on day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Cuci from Afrobeta waves a flag in front of the Live Stage after finishing her set on day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Anna Kimura shows off some hula hoop moves at the Live Stage during day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

Matthew Brechun gets ready for the drop at the UMF Radio Stage on day two of Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park on Saturday, March 28.
NICK SWYTERMIAMI HERALD STAFF

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